50 Best Community Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024

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The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top rated community colleges offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Community colleges offer affordable programs that are career-focused.
  • Community colleges are a great choice for students interested in a focus on skill-based and trade vocations.
  • Credits earned through community college courses can often be transferred to a traditional four-year college degree program.

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What is a community college?

A community college is a public two-year college that awards associate degrees as well as some professional certifications. Community colleges typically attract students drawn from the surrounding region. Top community colleges tend to offer a wide selection of associate degrees spanning a variety of disciplines. Community colleges can be especially attractive to students interested in getting an affordable start on a four-year degree. So too, these schools appeal to students seeking professional two-year degrees designed to provide technical and practical skills for immediate entrance into the job market.

We’ve identified 839 community colleges in the US. In order to be included in this list of the best community colleges, a school needs must be fully accredited, and must primarily provide two-year, or associate, degree programs (along with certificate credentials in most cases).

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The Best Community Colleges in the U.S.

  1. #1

    Pasadena City College

    Pasadena , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    36K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pasadena City College

    Cost of Degree: $1,172
    Starting Salary: $39,300
  2. #2

    Los Angeles City College

    Los Angeles , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    26K

    Career Outlook for degree at Los Angeles City College

    Cost of Degree: $1,238
    Starting Salary: $33,100
  3. #4

    De Anza College

    Cupertino , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at De Anza College

    Cost of Degree: $1,562
    Starting Salary: $50,200
    What is De Anza College known for?

    De Anza College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #9

    Collin College

    McKinney , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    50K

    Career Outlook for degree at Collin College

    Cost of Degree: $3,514
    Expenses: $17,584
    Starting Salary: $41,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Collin College known for?

    Collin College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #10

    College of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    36K

    Career Outlook for degree at College of DuPage

    Cost of Degree: $9,810
    Starting Salary: $41,500
    What is College of DuPage known for?

    College of DuPage’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    12%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for degree at Macomb Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,210
    Starting Salary: $37,300
    What is Macomb Community College known for?

    Macomb Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  7. #12

    Fullerton College

    Fullerton , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for degree at Fullerton College

    Cost of Degree: $1,150
    Starting Salary: $38,500
    What is Fullerton College known for?

    Fullerton College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bronx Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,206
    Starting Salary: $38,700
    What is Bronx Community College known for?

    Bronx Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #14

    Blinn College

    Brenham , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    11%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at Blinn College

    Cost of Degree: $6,230
    Expenses: $15,032
    Starting Salary: $44,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #15

    Chabot College

    Hayward , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    18K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chabot College

    Cost of Degree: $1,150
    Starting Salary: $41,300
  11. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at East Mississippi Community College

    Cost of Degree: $3,740
    Expenses: $10,005
    Starting Salary: $30,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is East Mississippi Community College known for?

    East Mississippi Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. #19

    Malcolm X College

    Chicago , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Malcolm X College

    Cost of Degree: $11,520
    Starting Salary: $29,700
    What is Malcolm X College known for?

    Malcolm X College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cuyahoga Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,622
    Starting Salary: $30,900
    What is Cuyahoga Community College known for?

    Cuyahoga Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. #21

    ASA College

    Brooklyn , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at ASA College

    Cost of Degree: $14,528
    Expenses: $22,680
    Starting Salary: $29,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is ASA College known for?

    ASA College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    14%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for degree at Glendale Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,070
    Starting Salary: $38,300
    What is Glendale Community College known for?

    Glendale Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at New Mexico Military Institute

    Cost of Degree: $6,965
    Expenses: $11,926
    Starting Salary: $48,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    18%

    Student body

    39K

    Career Outlook for degree at Portland Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,810
    Starting Salary: $41,200
    What is Portland Community College known for?

    Portland Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  18. Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    15%

    Student body

    25K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mesa Community College

    Cost of Degree: $2,070
    Starting Salary: $41,500
  19. #28

    San Jacinto College

    Pasadena , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    42K

    Career Outlook for degree at San Jacinto College

    Cost of Degree: $3,240
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    What is San Jacinto College known for?

    San Jacinto College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  20. #29

    Orange Coast College

    Costa Mesa , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    25K

    Career Outlook for degree at Orange Coast College

    Cost of Degree: $1,202
    Expenses: $21,500
    Starting Salary: $43,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. #30

    San Antonio College

    San Antonio , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at San Antonio College

    Cost of Degree: $6,742
    Starting Salary: $36,000
    What is San Antonio College known for?

    San Antonio College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  22. #31

    Merritt College

    Oakland , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at Merritt College

    Cost of Degree: $1,167
    Starting Salary: $41,500
  23. #32

    LaGuardia Community College

    Long Island City , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for degree at LaGuardia Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,218
    Starting Salary: $39,200
    What is LaGuardia Community College known for?

    LaGuardia Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  24. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for degree at Kingsborough Community College

    Cost of Degree: $5,252
    Starting Salary: $41,300
    What is Kingsborough Community College known for?

    Kingsborough Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  25. #34

    Los Angeles Pierce College

    Woodland Hills , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    26K

    Career Outlook for degree at Los Angeles Pierce College

    Cost of Degree: $1,238
    Starting Salary: $41,700
    What is Los Angeles Pierce College known for?

    Los Angeles Pierce College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  26. #36

    Long Beach City College

    Long Beach , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for degree at Long Beach City College

    Cost of Degree: $1,556
    Starting Salary: $33,800
  27. Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Central Oregon Community College

    Cost of Degree: $6,417
    Expenses: $17,883
    Starting Salary: $36,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Central Oregon Community College known for?

    Central Oregon Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  28. #38

    Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake City , UT

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    39K

    Career Outlook for degree at Salt Lake Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,257
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    What is Salt Lake Community College known for?

    Salt Lake Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  29. #39

    Weatherford College

    Weatherford , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Weatherford College

    Cost of Degree: $6,300
    Expenses: $12,045
    Starting Salary: $36,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Weatherford College known for?

    Weatherford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  30. #40

    Cabrillo College

    Aptos , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cabrillo College

    Cost of Degree: $1,262
    Starting Salary: $40,600
  31. #41

    Manor College

    Jenkintown , PA

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Manor College

    Cost of Degree: $19,414
    Starting Salary: $41,300
    What is Manor College known for?

    Manor College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  32. #43

    Santa Rosa Junior College

    Santa Rosa , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    25K

    Career Outlook for degree at Santa Rosa Junior College

    Cost of Degree: $1,318
    Starting Salary: $42,800
    What is Santa Rosa Junior College known for?

    Santa Rosa Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  33. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Allegheny County

    Cost of Degree: $8,563
    Starting Salary: $35,800
    What is Community College of Allegheny County known for?

    Community College of Allegheny County’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  34. #45

    Angelina College

    Lufkin , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    14%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Angelina College

    Cost of Degree: $4,740
    Expenses: $14,821
    Starting Salary: $35,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Angelina College known for?

    Angelina College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  35. #46

    Phoenix College

    Phoenix , AZ

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    13%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for degree at Phoenix College

    Cost of Degree: $2,070
    Starting Salary: $36,000
  36. #47

    East Los Angeles College

    Monterey Park , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $1K

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    54K

    Career Outlook for degree at East Los Angeles College

    Cost of Degree: $1,238
    Starting Salary: $36,100
    What is East Los Angeles College known for?

    East Los Angeles College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  37. #48

    Cecil College

    North East , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cecil College

    Cost of Degree: $8,310
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    What is Cecil College known for?

    Cecil College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  38. #49

    Joliet Junior College

    Joliet , IL

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    19%

    Student body

    21K

    Career Outlook for degree at Joliet Junior College

    Cost of Degree: $12,750
    Starting Salary: $36,400
    What is Joliet Junior College known for?

    Joliet Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  39. #50

    Lee College

    Baytown , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    10K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lee College

    Cost of Degree: $3,882
    Starting Salary: $43,100
    What is Lee College known for?

    Lee College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni


Looking for a community college in your state?

You know by now that community colleges are a great choice for students who are interested in an affordable skill-based, career-focused program.

If you want a degree from a community college that is close to home, check out our list of the best colleges and universities in each state.

College students can benefit from learning to code even if it is not part of their curriculum. For an in-depth look at the many benefits of learning to code, check out our article explaining Why Every College Student Should Learn Coding.

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